May 2009

28th of May, 2009

Australia's Resource Curse: Social Division, Political Capture & Ecological Crisis

Resource abundance in Australia is often presented as an asset, waiting to be exploited. Reflecting this, the recent resource boom is unquestioned – in fact celebrated – as a great windfall for the Australian people. But how far should it be welcomed? In the context of accelerated climate change, and a continuing rural crisis in Australia, it is salutary to be reminded of what Sheik Ahmed Yamani, long-time Oil Minister of Saudi Arabia, said in regard to their major resource asset: "All in all, I wish we had discovered water."

categories:

just transition

27th of May, 2009

Court Ruling Strengthens Landholders' Resolve

Farmers on the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales vowed to continue their campaign against the mining giant BHP Billiton after the courts upheld the company's unfettered right to access their properties against their will. But independant federal MP Tony Windsor says the decision will only strengthen the communities resolve, and warned BHP Billiton to prepare for renewed civil disobedience.

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26th of May, 2009

Celebrate World Environment Day in Toowoomba

Toowoomba’s unique annual festival of the environment comes alive in Lake Annand Park next Sunday 31st May. World Environment Day’s vibrant multicultural mix of information, music, food, song and dance explodes into action from 10am til 4pm.

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22nd of May, 2009

Greenpeace Shuts Down Extraction at Hazelwood

Greenpeace Action at Hazelwood Power Station

Just before 7am in the morning of May 21st, 14 Greenpeace activists shut down a coal digger at Hazelwood, the developed world’s most polluting power station, carrying the message "Coal - Powering Climate Change".

categories:

direct action

20th of May, 2009

Protecting Queensland's Productive Landscapes

With the introduction of amendments to the NSW Mining Act to the Parliament last week to protect prime agricultural land from coal mining, the pressure is now on the Queensland Government to introduce similar protections.

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20th of May, 2009

NSW Greens to Protect Agricultural Land from Coal Mines

New South Wales Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has introduced a new bill to the NSW parliament to protect prime agricultural land and water from damage cause by coal mining and exploration. The introduction of the Mining (Safeguarding Agricultural Land and Water From Mining) Amendment Bill paves the way for similar legislation in Queensland.

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17th of May, 2009

No Royalties on Felton Mine

The Felton Valley, located some thirty kilometres southwest of Toowoomba, is under threat from a proposal by Ambre Energy to build a 12.8 million tonne per year open-cut coal mine, a petrochemical plant to convert the coal into liquid fuel, and a power station. Ambre Energy have enjoyed the support of the Queensland Government to date - however due to a recent legal investigation, that may be about to change.

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1st of May, 2009

Six Degrees Releases Community Dialogues on Coal Report

Six Degrees last night formally launched "Community Dialogues on Coal" - an overview report from the coal communities listening tour we conducted last November.

categories:

coal communities